Printing-frame.



w. WESTMAN.

PRINTING FRAME.

APPL|C^T|0N FILED DEC-14,1914. y

PateltedJune 22, l1915.

r o5 om NM. 1W QN f l WV# m Y MM. KN

f PATENT ormoni.

iQ"Y:WILLIiimvi` WnsfrMAN,` or Los ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, Assienon or ONE-HALF ro f n nnnnsriwrrmaivrs, or Los'ANenLEs, CALIFQRNIA.

PRINTING-FRAME.

` Specification of Letters Patent.

` App'neatmmedDecember14,1ere. seiainasraoos..

of Los Angeles, Los Angeles county, Stater -of California, haveginvented certain nevv andY useful f Improvements' in `Printing- V 'Y frFrain'es, of; whichA thelfollovving isa specification. p

' or VMy invention'f'relates topprinting frames,

andi-more 'particularly to such as arevadaptv. v.ed tobe employed inphotographiq blue 1 Vprint,anjd similar'.processesv in which neg- 'ativej and4 :positive printing elements are held face-toVA face for printingthrough one A"Iup` on Vthe other. S'Itsjprincipal objects arev lto]providea,printingframe in Which the positive and negative` printing elements may .-bepositioned Vand adjusted accurately With 'i celeiityandj'ease,-antainedtightly upon ieachfother `during `*the printing operation,

-. and exilrrinedeasilyand quickly from time l to time and, notably, throughout or substantially throughout their printing areas respectively;v also, a frame in `Which, such eX- tensive examination .may beA had Without prejudice yto the perfect 'adjustment necessarily to 'be maintainedbetween the printl. ing elements after` the printing has been -begun ;`-a nd, structurally, to provide a frame 'Whichgissimpla 'strong and-durable, oper` atesV smoothly-and is notlikely soon to yget Other objects and advantages'will appear f hereinafter.

Y In the: accompanying drawings, which tionsVY and the like, in Which dravvingsv.Figure 1 is aside elevation-ofthe device fconr'lplete;l Fig. 2 is a top plan of the same;`

Fig.'3 is .an enlarged fragmentary longitudi- `.nal vertical sectionfthrough the device of Fig.

1, as on the broken linev of Fig. 2, certain outer spring elements not being shown;

Fig. 4 isa similar sectional View, asY on the line; offfFi'g. 2,the positive and negativegprinting elementsof Fig. 3 -not being included; vand Fig. 51is .aY perspective View of therv device in 'its normal open position.

l`The "frarne proper 10 is suitably rectangu- V larin shape' and is providedwith means foi holdingj'afplate, as 11 or 11a, such means being,v preferably a Y shoulder lor seat formed is not limited to such means.

by rabbeting the recess 12 in the *frame as shown. The plate 11a, Fig. 4, is to be conf Patented-June 22,1915'.

sidered the usual and ordinary glass plate y "negative, the plate 11 beingV considered a lighttransmitting support (preferably transparent glass) forthe negative,` as 14, which negative 14 may alsobe of glass (as Wherethe -same'is too small to'be held by its edge portions in the frame), or it may be kof paper, celluloid .and the likerfiexible substances requiring y'a support orbacking suchvas the plate 11. Thesensitizedsheet or positivefprintingelement 15 is shown in printing position` upon the negative 14.

In this descriptionand in the claims Wherever the term printing element j is employed it will be understoodto, refer either A to the positive or the negative, or the equivalent, or, in thel plural, toboth, such` printing elements being the articles held bytheframe and are not to be understood*Av 'as included as elements 'of the printing frame itself, the coperativeelements of the combinations set forthV being technically 'printing-frame elementsy as distinguished fromy printing elements..rv n

Printing frames Vof the general vcharacter described are provided With la pressure back for holding the printing'elementsface to..

face. In my improved devicethepressure vback 16 is lieXible and is also resilient.

l' Means are provided in my device for mainftaining the resilient Vback in its straightcned-out shape for holding the printing elements, such means being preferably positioned at the ends, andv are illustrated as hinges and a latch, although theinvention n Means are `also provided for causing the baclrto exert a holding pressure intermediate its ends, the

means illustrated' being also susceptible ofA modification. y v z o Y The-liexible and resilient back Y'16j comprises irst a flexible mat or cushion element 17, which is preferably of-zsubstantially heavy lfelt or similar fabric, and ,this mat or cushion element shouldbe lof suiicient area to covertheprinting elements, and ordinarily covers the plate 11 or 11a. A layer of canvas, 17a, is preferably cemented to clearance, and extendingV parallel to each other, and preferably of a lengthvequalj to the 'Width'of the mat y17, are securedito the mat or cushion closeto each other,` or to the canvas or similar ffabriel?a vvhere'it'is employed, preferably by cement, substantially as shown. The bars 18. are preferably made l in upper andvlovverpieces 18afand'l8b,.a transverse groove beingformed intheendl portions lof onejof `these parts, vfor instance 18h, to provide connement for-the yspringggs '19, shovvn as 'flat pieces of metal andV preferably made of" lightband-steel, these elements'19 being `preferably givenfaninitial curve, sojthat they `are arcuate or curved in form before beingpositioned in the vbars18,

so that When thesef springs .19 are injthenposition shown 'in Fig. 1Utheir tendencylisto resume their'arcuate' 'or curved shape, "f asin Fig. 5, when freeto `do softheir action in practice beingtocoperate in automatically.

raising the freeend Y of this flexible back.

screws 1 20, these Vspring elements 119 AVbeing ffree tomove iny the vbars to.p'rovidewflexi-V 'jbilityof theback as avvhole. f`

Additionalmeans for drawing the pres- 'sure back intojthecurved form'shoyvn in `Which'is Valso suitably'of fiat band steel, this element'2lbeing rigidly securedratj one end ,to one of the bar "elements, fpreferably the free or 'frontend element, as bythe 'screws VVV22, the otheiii'dend having lmeans forfpermitting relative 'movement as fthe-'fslot 23 through Which'passeslthe screw 24, the head V thereof 'preventingthis end"'from fgetting outof its `operative position.- 'f The vspring i 1,21 is "also Vin itiallycurved substantially as vare the springsl 19, 'itsftendency and effect being-als'o'to coperate indravving'therexinally {curved} form `r Vofv ysprings VY19 'andY 21. "havetheadditional k function of causingthe I bars 18-to rpress requ'ablyfupon the plate 11y or 11a, orvvhatevermaybe uponsuch--plate WhenYY the v fleiibleback is in the position of Fig. -1.V Intheeaseof-fspring211I prefer "to have'thefends incline'upwarmas in Fig. 11, which y'isaccomplished bythe blocks 25 ande26 having inclined faces, these-'blocks' being rigidY upon Ythe end bars respectively.

Y ff While the device operatesr effectively vvith Y :Only tha gprings19', or their"equivalent,` and With'-betterpressing effect 'With the spring 21 contacting the uppersurface" ofthe bars 18 substantially fromfend 7 to end ofthe ieXible {.)ressureV back, 16,1 Vas Would V'be 'the Y. ,case 'if the' spring element27-vv'ere removed,

I obtainas'till vbetter, holding effect bythe iterposi'tion of this T s'prin'gV element 27 suitably also la piece ofV light 'band steel, betvvee'nfthe middle-bars 18 and thev spring 21, this spring 27 preferably having'its ends uptu-rned as Yshown and'being secured rig- .is exerted equablyovei a consi derable num- V thebolts 31 kheld by theffrfame `10, al spring, `as 32, -fheing' interposed between the Yhead of end of'V the pressure baclf18f Vtoward: the iframe proper y10, yet permitting these parts Tf; 'to' rise against Vspringfpressure When ar-` ysensitized. sheet 15, are interposed,b etWeen' the plate 11 and the vbackV` 18, and adapts the? g jingv elements v of various, thicknesses. 3 Asl of thefsairiematerial4 as V,the mat elementfl'?, is positionedbetiveen the barf30 vand frame 1 10, th'ersame providingaa cushion 'for the`v` straightened-ou't or* printing 'position stantially ias 'shown in order that Wlfien vfthe l 'element l or elements beyond the normal vline 11, allowingV the back 16 again to descend by :to time', if necessary. This manner of aphighly advantageous, notonlyfivith respect Vsults, but also notably in such printing oper-f idly to the intermediate bar 18, as by Y a Vscrevv'or` screws 28. YThus the `holding if". pressure of the'spring 21 isfincreased andl l ber of theV intermediate bars 18. .70.

portionsof the spring' 21may Yconta-ct other y -bars.l8, as' illustrated inFigs1andA. f y

The Vhinges 29 are connectedtothe. `end ff bar-"1 8c `and* theanchoring barV 80vvliic'h l' supported for up and V down movement on the bolt and the anchoring barSO adapted to press thisbar 30 and consequently the-f ticles, for instance" the negative 14 andthe device tofholding in properposition printillustratedpin Figffay ,Washer 1712,'suitably ff bar.4 30@ latch Vel'ementfas 33,1 holds the t Vfree end jof the. fleifible"bjaclri` '16. l. in itsv handle,'asf3i, is preferably positionedsubpressure backjis forced into` the '}j)ositio'n" of" Fig. 1 thejforce exerted'may be appliedcentrallyv off the back and thebacl; be :thus moved'A uniformly into theholding position 5K7 I and latchedl V v V.Freniits position `as shc'i'vnA in -'Fig. 5thev back lmaybe'move'd on the hinges 2 9 so as! `to expose the entire'top surface ofith'e pla-te" 'Y l11er 11a,-fthuslprovidinga' free` andunob- Vs tructed Vsurfaceupon which to ypositiona f printing element or'element'sl asthe 'casefmayw be.; The operatorv may begin* with thefback yliithus entirely away from lthe lplate; orVM 1121er hefma'y beginjiviththeparts' inA the' normally openposition of Fig."5,in'Which-i "ca'se'lhe' takes the printingv V element or' 'ele-1.v

ments and, raising'the back lGfslightly, in? s'erts limitedend portions of theprinting.

of contact of thebackl 16 with the plate w112er reasonof vits owniveight. -Thusend 'pors l f tions of the printing element orelements are` f Y l y held, and the operatori mayl readily adjust@ them, raising the back 16 slightly from timev plyingl the" printing elements to the lframe vis tothe vfreedom and quickness with which the] operator may Worlr, making for better re' ""portion thereofais curled. away fron-1V said supporting means, automatically adjustable .properadapted to hold aprinting element .for light transmission therethrough,an articulated pressure back adapted torcover` 'suchprinting element'when so positioned upon them with'jthe other.

juafig in iframe; mais' device a is possiblefor theoperator to engage one end of `suchjcurling elements by the :back -16V and straighten rthemV out. with one hand as he causes the flexible back to .roll down or creep When the operator desires to Vpositiv@ which he usuallyv does several times y :jv duringv ahprinting operation, he operates ther 10 Catch v'element- 38 to release thel back '16 .whereupon the 'back' will automatically as.V V V`vsume itsv relative positionishown in Fig. 5,

i 1 litsjweight st i'll 'holding' end .portions of the Y, positive, in'vvhichopen position the operl5V fstantially'the entire" printing area, or all of ator may quickly examine in oneV view4 sub- Hitgifthere isfa marginy about the printing preferred' embodimentfof/these improvements, the invention is not'limited to the specific yconstruction, Vshown and reference y7 25 Vshould be had to the appended claimsto dearea, as is `usually thecase. Having made Y i I an examination thebaclcl is simply-pressed V20l f down and latched. 1 v. l

.Wh-ilel have illustrated and describeda gl 'temle the SCQpeofthe inventionv herein set "fforth:

' therethrough, andilexiblemeans forholding f i Iiclaim 'v1-.fA The combination Vof v frame fory holdingaprinting element for light transmission "l 1 asensitized-sheet inV printingpositionupon Y 'meansin iframe.

*suchV printing element, said flexible means vincludinga plurality offpressure bars side byside vand transversely apertured at end yportions respectivelyto accommodate a pair of springs, normally "curved springs in said 'i l apertures respectively, said springs being vadapted .to cause end portions of said flexibleY means normally -to curl away fromV said frame, and'xmeans for'holding said flexible substantially flat position on said 2. ,In printing` frame, the combination ofA means for supporting printing elements in printing relation, anda resilient flexible articulated kpressure back for said supporting means, the construction. of said pressure i backl being such .that when one end thereof isghelfd on said supporting means the free y hinge means for so holding oneendfof said "pressurev back,-and means coperating with saidShinge means forfholdingsaid pressure baci;` substantially straightened out upon saidsupporting means whereby printing elei ments may be held when positioned in said printing frame. y y e 3. 1'The combination of' a printing `Vframe and.V to hold Vvthereon a sensitized sheet for examine .the

ing position.

printing, the articulated construction of said pressure back being` such that an end portion thereof may be turned back by degrees to expose successive relatively small portions of such'sheetwhen so'positioned, means for holdingend portions of said back in printing element holding position, and a spring element carried by saidl articulated back adapted to impart printing element holding pressure upon portions thereof intermediate its ends. Y

Il. The combinationof a printingl frame proper having provisions for holding a printing element for light transmission therethrough, and a resili'ent'back foi` holding a Vsensitized sheet in printing'position Y upon such. printing element` when in said frame proper, said resi-lient back co-mprising pressure bars side by side and spring vmeans adapted normally to cause a free end of said back to stand away from said frame proper in an open position, means for `holding end portions of said back in printing element holding position, and means for holding intermediate portions of said back in sucl holding position.

. 5. The combination of a printing element for lightk transmission therethrough, and aiiexible pressure back adapted to holdv another printing element `means for holding y upon such lirst mentioned printing element, said pressure back including transverse pressure elements side` by side and adapted to move away from said printing element holding means byj successive stepsv until such printing elements, when held by said means and said back, areexposed, said ico pressure Vback being adapted tocreepupon Y successive small portions of such printing Y l elements-when so positioned that the pressure 'back is out of holding position and is brought into holding position on said 'is toward said frame proper, and means for releasably holding the other end of said back on said frame whereby said pressure back is substantially straightened out thereon. v Y

7. In aprinting frame, the combination of a frame proper adapted to hold a printisc ing element for light transmission therethrough7V and a resilient flexible pressure back hingedly ,mountedon said Vframe proper, said pressure back being adapted normally toY ourl Vavvay from saidf'fram'e proper and from a printingelementJvhen 4held ',thereby, means for' holding the 'free v endv of 'said llexible back, VandV spring means adaptedtov bear upon intermediateAV portions thereoIn whereby suehlintermediate portions may press .upon -sueh When so positioned.v Y Y 8; In a:printing Vframe,V the combination of Va frame proper adapted to lsupport a printing .element V'for light transmission Y,therethrough,` and resilient pressure back y sure 'back yo.oniprising .a flexible Vmat,V element,Y a plurality 'of bars 'on said mat ele-` ment, and spring means adaptedV .tof maintainfsaid rmat element'fin pressing relation to lsuch printing element: Whensaid pres#y sure back is-in holdinglposition` on said frame` proper and ,such printing element is positioned therein.`

Copies of this patent niayhe obtained .for

-surejbaok comprising a flexible vmat ele-j ment,a plurality ofbars on said mat ,elefp printingl l`element sure back for said frame proper'adaptedto hold asensitized'sheet upon such negative element,'a1pair'of spring 'elements arranged i i and adapted'nor'nially vto assume a convex@ Velement for holding the Vends ofsaid :baolr v f. 10. Inl aprinting frame7 thecombinationVAY fr of a-raine proper having *provisions torio holding a'printing element, `a resilient fpresff." f '4 sure baokifor said frame proper,V ksaid v.pres

ment,V and a normally curved spring'lgj:

.element :extending transversely. of saidbars and `adapted to. maintain said '.pres y, V sure back as a Whole ina normally curved.` shape with the convex portion toward said fra-me proper and meansvfor holdingisaidi be.; pressure bach' substantially flattened `1 out"` upon said ,frame'propen' y f. g.

ill. In .a printing Ydevice, the combination vroff` aV-frame proper having provisions" s forholdinglaglass negativeyaexible pres-r 55T 5 when in ysaidfframe7 said pressure back oom- ,fjf prising faflexiblemat element and a pluf` rality ofrba'rs Vsideby si'deupon vsaid mat *69* shape toward said; rame'proper, 'means in'-v .I oluding an automatically' adjustable hingezg` uponsaid frame` properfand..spring-means for holding intermediate portions of saidf back whereby .said backl is substantially straightened out 'upon -suoh negative andgio` fl sheet when positioned'ingsaid device. WILHllLh/lV VVESTl/IAN.v 

